As the budget draws closer, experts across industries talk about their budget expectations. Moneycontrol.com interviewed Anil Jain, MD of Refex Refrigerants Ltd about his expectations from the budget.

Q. If you have to give a wishlist for the upcoming budget for your sector, what would it be?
Ans: On the economic front, lowering of Corporate tax to 20% and total
abolition of Fringe Benefit Tax would ease the burden of most corporates
that have been affected in the economic slowdown. My Sector is fortunately
very closely connected with protection of the environment and therefore my
wish would be to see the Government formulate concrete measures to curb
pollution.Environment protection continues to be a major area of concern
among developing and developed countries.. High levels of pollution coupled
with ignorance of the common man has resulted in catastrophic consequences.
Melting of Glaciers, ozone depletion and global warming are no longer fancy
words bandied about by Scientists but clear and present danger experienced
everyday by mankind. States like Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh etc have
successfully banned the usage of Plastic and I wish this Government
replicates this policy in other states.

Q. What according to you are the most important reforms (for an overall Indian growth) the government should take up in the upcoming budget and why?
Ans: Primary Education is very important. Lack of infrastructure and
amenities for imparting Primary education to all citizens of this country
are in a appalling state and in my opinion the very basic dharma of every
government would be to address this need. All citizens are born equal and
nobody, especially children should be deprived of education which is their
basic right. We may take pride in knowing that our Country is one of the
fastest emerging economic superpower in Asia but the sheen is somewhat lost when we keep reading articles on lack of schools, infrastructure, starvation deaths etc elsewhere in the country. Economic success should always be measured in terms of "with what cost?" rather than "at what cost?".
Inclusive growth should be the mantra for this Government. The tendency to
showcase Sensex as a barometer of our economy should be stopped. Sensibility rather than Sensex should be the watchword for this Government. (the success of Slumdog Millionaire is also a shame in its own way where it reveals the truths of life lived by underprivileged). We need to correct this. This can only be corrected if there is no corruption in the Govt and if the money
from taxes goes towards the development of the country)

Q. Have you seen any drop in business considering the current economic slowdown?
Ans: Most definitely. The poor offtake in Automobile and Consumer durable
sectors contributed to the drop in business. This is reflected in the
financials of our Company for the year 2008-09.

Q. What are the current challenges that you are facing? What are your
expectations from the UPA government?
Ans: Economic slowdown is definitely the biggest challenge currently being
faced by our Company. There is an urgent need for this Government to
stimulate the economy by reducing or doing away with certain elements of the
current tax structure. ( Write on specific industry problems tht refex has
been seeing – prob bank lending, scepticism of Indian consumer, apathy of
investors) Thanks to inflation, the common man today is facing problems of
price rise in day to day existence. Increasing the minimum threshold limits
for levy of Income tax would bring the much needed relief since the loss in
revenue would be minimal in any case from this band. I would definitely
recommend the increase in minimum exemption limits from the current
Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh pa. Internal Security especially after 26/11
continues to be a matter of concern for the common man. Introduction of
stringent laws is the only way to solve this problem.

Q. Since Refex Refrigerants is a specialist in offering environmentally
friendly refiller and distributor of Refrigerant gases, do you expect the
government to come up with measures for reducing the harm of global warming in the upcoming budget?
Ans: Please understand that any measures introduced by the present
Government for reducing the global warming must be with Refex, without Refex or in spite of Refex. This is the responsibility of the Government and Refex would be more than willing to join hands in this endeavour. What we are
seeking from this Government is an effort on similar lines in spreading the
message of environment protection. (something on us being 20 years behind
developed nations – to strive to reduce the gap. To be leaders where we
can) This Government has the mandate of the nation. So far, this Government
under the able leadership of Dr.Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister has
shown remarkable vision and clarity. I am hopeful of a positive impetus from
this Government in the area of environment protection.

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